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Supervisory Hydrologic Technician

Department of the Interior
Geological Survey
Dakota Water Science Center

Summary

This position serves as the Field Office Chief for the Rapid City Field Office of the Dakota Water Science Center and is responsible for supervising hydrologic technicians and managing hydrologic data-collection programs throughout the assigned area. The incumbent oversees the collection, review, and dissemination of surface water, groundwater, and water-quality data while ensuring compliance with USGS standards and safety requirements.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted yesterday · Apply by 07/09/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 9, 2026
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$89,508 - $116,362 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12
Promotion potential
12
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
50% or less - You may be expected to travel up to 10 days per month for this position.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
Yes
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
USGS-RES-26-12991539-IMP-SY
Control number
875150100

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Open only to current USGS employees serving on permanent competitive service career or career-conditional appointments.

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Duties

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At the full performance level (GS-12) the major duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Provides leadership and oversight to hydrologic technicians by establishing work priorities, assigning and reviewing work, evaluating performance, and supporting employee training, development, and career advancement.
  • Plans, coordinates, and oversees hydrologic monitoring programs, including the design, installation, operation, and maintenance of surface-water, groundwater, water-quality, and sediment monitoring stations and data-collection networks.
  • Ensures hydrologic data collection, computation, review, and dissemination activities comply with USGS technical standards, policies, quality assurance requirements, and safety procedures.
  • Coordinates personnel, equipment, vehicles, and other resources to support mission objectives, efficient operations, budget planning, and the delivery of high-quality water-resources data.
  • Represents the USGS and Water Science Center in interactions with Federal, State, Tribal, and local partners, cooperators, landowners, and other stakeholders to support monitoring programs, funding agreements, and collaborative initiatives.
  • Communicates technical and operational information to employees, management, partners, and stakeholders; provides guidance and instruction; and facilitates coordination and resolution of operational issues.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

Key Requirements:

  1. Selectee may be subject to serving a one-year probationary period.
  2. More requirements are listed under Qualifications and Other Information.
  3. Selectee must provide a valid state driver's license & safe driving record. You will be required to operate a government-owned or -leased vehicle in the performance of your official duties. Applicants for this position must meet the following requirements: (1) possess a valid State license, and (2) possess a safe driving record. If selected, you will be required to provide proof of a valid State license & a copy of your driving record.
  4. Selectee subject to successful completion of a pre-employment medical exam. Taking and passing a pre-employment medical examination at Federal expense is required due to the physical demands of this job.

Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position?

  • Because this position requires travel for official business, the selectee will be required to apply for a charge card within 30 calendar days of appointment. Individuals who have delinquent account balances from a previous Government charge card will be required to satisfy their existing obligation before a new card can be issued.
  • A background investigation will be required for this position. Continued employment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.
  • Throughout the recruitment and hiring process we will be communicating with you via email; therefore, it is imperative that the email address you provide when applying for this vacancy remains active. Should your email address change, please notify the point of contact identified in the vacancy announcement as soon as possible so that we can update our system.
  • If you are a Federal employee applying for a promotion (under merit promotion procedures) you must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

Qualifications

In order to be rated as qualified for this position, the HR Office must be able to determine that you meet the specialized experience requirement - this information must be clearly supported in the resume.

Specialized Experience: To qualify at the GS-12, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience include: planning, coordinating, and conducting hydrologic data collection and analysis activities; overseeing the operation and maintenance of multiple surface-water, groundwater, water-quality, or precipitation monitoring stations; analyzing and interpreting hydrologic data to evaluate water resources conditions and trends; providing technical guidance and quality assurance for hydrologic data collection and processing activities; resolving complex technical issues related to hydrologic monitoring equipment, data collection methods, and data accuracy; and coordinating hydrologic projects, priorities, and field operations to support water resources investigations and program objectives.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Time-In-Grade: Current career or career-conditional employees of the Federal government, or former career or career-conditional employees, who have a break in service of less than one year, are required to meet the time-in-grade restriction of one year of Federal experience at the next lower-grade, with few exceptions outlined in 5 CFR 300.603(b).

You must meet all Eligibility and Qualification requirements, including time-in-grade restrictions and any selective placement factors, if applicable, by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

  • Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g. Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
  • There is no education substitution for the GS-12 level in the Hydrologic Technician, GS-1316 series. Applicants must meet the qualification requirements based on specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level.


Additional information

Other Information:

  • This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies in the advertised office or other U.S. Geological Survey offices in the local commuting area.?
    This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies in other U.S. Geological Survey offices.
  • Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position.
  • The application contains information subject to the Privacy Act (P.L. 93-579, 5 USC 552a). The information is used to determine qualifications for employment, and is authorized under Title 5, USC, Section 3302 and 3361.
  • As part of the application process, a series of four short essay questions will be included. Applicants must certify that their own words were used to answer the questions.
  • Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other Bureaus/Offices within the Department of the Interior (DOI) who have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade, full performance level and in the same geographic location(s), including within the same metro/commuting area. Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration.
Agency Benefits:

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

--Resume Length:
Please limit your resume to no more than 2 pages. If more than 2 pages are submitted, only the first 2 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.

--Basis of Rating:
Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the result of the assessment required for this position. Your responses must be substantiated by your resume. If you do not respond to the application questions you may be rated ineligible.

Resume Review Assessment Required: If you meet the eligibility and basic qualification requirements for this position subject-matter-experts will perform a structured review of your resume to evaluate your knowledge, skills, abilities, and competences as they directly relate to the duties of this position.

Due weight will be given to performance appraisals and awards during the interview/selection process conducted by the hiring manager. If referred, all relevant documents including performance appraisals and awards submitted with your application package will be forwarded to the hiring official for review.

--NOTE: If it is determined that you have rated yourself higher than is supported in your description of experience and/or education as described in your resume/application, or that your resume or application is incomplete, you may be rated ineligible, not qualified, or your score may be lowered.

To preview the announcement questionnaire, click here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12991539

Geological Survey

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is a premier science agency committed to delivering objective, timely, and relevant scientific information. Join a team of dedicated professionals working to monitor and understand the Nation's water resources. As a Supervisory Hydrologic Technician, you will lead field and technical operations, mentor staff, and help ensure the collection of high-quality hydrologic data used by communities, resource managers, and decision-makers across the country. If you are looking for an opportunity to combine leadership, technical expertise, and public service, we encourage you to apply.

Agency contact information

Sokhan York
Phone
801-524-3703
Email
sokhan_york@ios.doi.gov
Address
DAKOTA WATER SCI CTR
12201 Sunrise Valley Drive
Mail Stop 600
Reston, VA 20192
US

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